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Movement

On April 24th, 2015, people from over 60 countries around the world will come together to celebrate the second annual Fashion Revolution Day. The movement marks the anniversary of the Rana Plaza tragedy in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

In Toronto local schools will be encouraging students to wear their clothes inside out in order to build awareness about the supply chain and ask questions about where their clothes come from.

In addition, Toronto University’s have done their part by hosting Sew-Ins at Seneca, George Brown, Ryerson and OCAD. At these Sew-Ins, individuals are encouraged to write meaningful words, questions and phrases in support of ethical fashion. The chain of fabric is both symbolic for the supply chain and acts as a petition encouraging transparency in the fashion industry.

If you can’t join the Sew-In, then please wear your clothes inside out on April 24th and ask your favourite clothing brands, “who made my clothes?” over social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) using the hashtag #FashRev.

Check out this article where freelance writer, Hannah Ewens, explores the most googled fashion terms of 2014: Cutester, Health Goth and Normcore. Though you can find people who look health goth, normcore and cutester in any major city, there doesn’t seem to be any kind of coherent lifestyle behind the clothes.

Hannah explores questions like, “Where do the normcores get drunk?” “How does a health goth pay the rent?” “Where do cutesters go to find sex?” Check out there article where Hannah tries out these clothing trends in the flesh in an attempt to find out if there was any kind of lifestyle beyond the clothes.

For those of you too lazy to read the full article, here are Hannah’s results in a nutshell: As Suspected: the Cutester is straight-up gross, Health Goth is just the Spice Girls in an oil slick and Normcore is for vanilla humanities students who want to look like extras in a Woody Allen movie.

CUTESTER: Hannah easily made friends like the staff at this entire shop dedicated to selling onesies

“Cutester is so disgusting on so many levels. It’s the go-to aesthetic for a self-loathing generation; VEVO filtered through Jeremy Scott and flooding into Primark quicker than you can say ‘Squidward onesie.’

Cutester Alert! Dressing and acting like a spoiled American toddler

Are those seriously bunches she’s got in her hair? Honestly, the last time it was acceptable for any of us to wear a Mickey Mouse T-shirt was when we were trying to fuck the Cobrasnake for a new profile picture six years ago. Enough.”

Strutting around as a health goth gives you the camouflage of fitness.

“Sorry, trend reporters, but though you think health goth was conceived this year, it’s clearly been alive and well since So Solid Crew’s Kaish wore white contact lenses on Top of the Pops. While it was cemented as a mainstream trend by Alexander Wang for H&M’s asymmetric laser-cut travesty of a collection over summer, people with no personality have been wearing ribbed socks and Nike crop-tops to complement their dip-dyes for absolutely ages.

health goth just doesn’t translate all that well into real life

Though this sportswear subculture might not be as sinister as the rich guys you meet on Tinder who wear Air Max with no socks, it still strikes me as a clusterfuck of symbols reserved largely for the sort of people so desperately in need of an identity they’ve got a tattoo of their own name. Not pictured: the obligatory septum piercing.”

Normcore moves away from a coolness that relies on difference to a post-authenticity coolness that opts in to sameness

“The problem with normcore is it normally goes one of two ways: either you’re so ‘core in your stonewashed flares and ancient Stan Smiths that Refinery29 are sniffing around for an OOTD [Outfit of the Day], or you just shopped yourself silly on the ASOS basics vertical and you’re less blasé, more just blah.

Personally, I think normcore should be reserved for people with their natural hair color and an endearing number of pimples (exactly one) but you know what? Those jeans are truly hideous, so kudos for the effort.”

all three of these fashion trends seemed morally blank

Sadly, none of these new subcultures have any hope of becoming real subcultures; they are all too reliant on the internet and just don’t translate IRL. Personally, I hold out hope for 2015, but there are those who argue that subcultures as we knew them died the day broadband started beaming every nascent youth movement into connected households the world over. So for now until the Fall of Technology, I guess we’ll have to make do with whatever op-ed writers and trend forecasters come up with. To 2015: the year of the Islamopunk and the Turbo Mod.

New season? New wardrobe inspiration! Spring is on its way and it’s that time of the year when we can indulge in color, break out of the routine dark monochromes and experiment with interesting silhouettes. Spring 2015 is bringing an array of fabulous possibilities. Keep your eyes peeled for light yet rich fabrics, new colors and interesting prints. Here are some great Toronto trends from your TEST Members to inspire you to get playful with your wardrobe this Spring:

FlowersFlowers have definitely blossomed as a spring essential. This season they adorned catwalks both boldly and subtly. Be on the look out for special embroideries and appliques that will create a rich botanical experience. No layers or further embellishments are needed when sporting floral prints as flowers add major boost of panache to an outfit and simply make you feel more into the season. As an ever joyful and spring print, the flower trend might have just turned into a classic that everyone needs.

DenimAhh, the resilient denim! Denim has made a full force comeback this spring, adding rustic and urban character to ensembles. It’s all about mixing, matching and revamping your style with new and old denim pieces. Pick what makes you comfortable, washes that work with your skin-tones and have fun with it!

GinghamThese tiny checks, once considered a vintage print, are certainly one of the biggest buzzes for spring 2015. Seen everywhere, (even on cats) gingham is the statement of the season! Impeccable giant pastel checks can show a soft, preppy look. If you’re looking for a daring style, enhance your checks with pops of color. For a sophisticated look – wear the print on a easy, light dress.

This new energy given to gingham has gone positively stylish. Redesigned into crop tops, pencil skirts, relaxed button-down dresses and even charmingly feminine fitted blazers makes it one of the most covetable prints this season. The ladylike print has never looked better!

Romantic BohemianRomantic prints on an airy maxi dresses are so hot this season. We love this look from Simones Rose Boutique – a sheer, busy-patterned, deep v-neck, with major bohemian flavor. Earthy tones, intricate appliques and feminine shaped dresses are super trendy and perfect for this time of year. If you’re looking to steal gazes and inspire deep sighs, bring this trend to your wardrobe.

FringeThis season’s fringe is all about standing out. Fringe can powerfully embellish your wardrobe as it adds amazing texture and movement to garments. Fringe can be small, medium or long strands – whatever you’re most comfortable with. While often thought of as bohemian, fringe shows sophistication and elegance. We’d love to go dancing with Karen’s leather fringe bag pictured above!

Show your local Etsy shops some love by shopping local this Spring. By shifting just a portion of your spending, you can help create more jobs, a stronger economy and build a better community here in Toronto. Happy shopping and happy playful Spring wardrobes!